Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks are electric trucks made to function in narrow aisles. A counterbalanced lift truck could turn within the aisle since standard storage aisles are just 3.6 meters wide and this is adequate space. On the other hand, narrow aisles could be around 2.4 meters wide to as little as 1.8 meters. The narrow space requires specific lift truck models which are capable of tight turns, small, and able to put away loads without turning. The common types of narrow-aisle trucks are turret trucks, order pickers and reach trucks.
Narrow-aisle reach trucks
Reach trucks were the first narrow-aisle lift truck to be manufactured for warehouse use. These small trucks can turn with no trouble within narrow aisles as their design has eliminated the requirement for a big counterweight. Stability is instead provided by outrigger arms extending in front of the truck. The downside of this design is that the outrigger arms could hinder access to the storage rack since the truck cannot get near enough. These trucks really work well in a warehouse which is well lit, has even, clean floors, enough turning space and good traffic flow.
Turret trucks
The design of a turret truck has pivoting forks on side of the truck. The forks pivot 90 degrees and move from side to side. The load could face forward while the operator drives down the aisle. When stopped at the designated storage place, the truck's forks turn to the storage side and raise the load to their full extension, and then easily deposit the load prior to resuming their original position. Turret trucks are available with a wire guidance system that keeps the truck on its path in really narrow aisles. Operators remain at floor level in man-down trucks.